A gamer has claimed that Microsoft suspended her from Xbox Live because she identified herself as a lesbian to other members of the online gaming network.
The woman – identified only as Teresa, by a Consumerist online report – claimed she was harassed by other gamers who were peeved that she'd dared to state her sexuality in …

COMMENTS

Xbots

Does this honestly surprise anyone?

You have a situation where one person is being victimised/harassed/bullied by a group of others. You can either deal with the bullies, or you can remove the victim. Either way solves the problem in terms of there will no longer be any harassment/bullying taking place.

Is it really surprising that companies will take the much easier, if not less ethical, route of getting rid of the victim? It's very easy for them to claim that she is a troublemaker, for example. That the problem wouldn't exist if she wasn't there.

Not to mention that by removing the victim means they only lose one source of income as opposed to losing potentially a couple dozen or more if they take action against the bullies.

Sadly, this sort of attitude is prevalent in society, whether it's on Xbox Live, internet forums, or in schools and workplaces.

Bringing down the tone

The question has to be asked, did they harass this woman for being a lesbian or did they harass her for being the type of person that always has to bring sex into everything? This is computer gaming people, keep your private life private. Xbox live is NOT a pick up tool!

Harressment

If she was haressed by content on her profile then she shouldn't of put anything in there, or alternatively, set the PRIVACY OPTIONS.

Quote: Toulouse stressed that "harassment of gamers of any type be it homophobia or racism or other, is expressly forbidden and my team will take action against it, up to and including a permanent ban"

I invite Toulouse to any Call of Duty 4 or World at War lobby, when Americans are present, and they would be busy for a long time 'taking action'.

Not to bash Americans but it seems 90% of them on Xbox Live are racist homophobic xenophobes.

Immaturity

Microsoft got it right.

The terms of usage on XBox Live are said to state that a user's account will be banned if they indicate their sexual orientation therein. Microsoft aren't banning this woman's account because she's a lesbian, they're banning the account for a breach of the terms of usage. To repeat a sentiment echoed by others before me on this thread, a gaming community isn't the forum to shout out about one's sexual proclivities, however mainstream.

This account was banned for breaking the rules. I'm confident there are other accounts where the gamer states that they are hetero/homo/bi-sexual and, if Microsoft find out about them, then they should be banned too. Unless Microsoft allow people who state that they're heterosexual to stay 'in play' whilst banning others who state that they are homosexuals, then the corporation cannot reasonable be accused of discrimination. Blame people who don't read the rules which are put in place to make life easier for everyone involved and avoid controversy just like this.

I'd also like to second the opinion of Waldo regarding the immaturity of users who thought it would be a good way to spend time tailing and teasing a fellow gamer. Although it wouldn't have happened had the usage terms been abided by, that's absolutely no excuse for a collection of people in an escapist world to start targeting and cyber-lynching others.

there's a reason for 'coming out'...

The 'default' sexuality for humans is mostly heterosexual. It an individual does not state their sexuality explicitly, then you are 'lying' by default.

Harvey Milk was right to make sure that all his supporters were 'out' to their family and friends - this makes sure that homosexual people are not an 'invisible' minority.

If the microsoft gaming environment does not allow declarations of 'sexuality', that's fine - but all gamer tags and profiles should be gender and sexuality neutral - for consistencies sake.

Incidentally, 'anonymous cowards' & vetis & mark above, by declaring myself as a gay man here, I refuse to be treated as an invisible 'oppressed' minority. The comments about a 'pickup' joint further show ingorance and stupidity about gay people.

Re: Immaturity

Games consoles are frequently played by 'kids' right ... so immaturity is pretty much to be expected isn't it? And, as others have stated, it seems pretty sensible of MS to have explicitly banned the statement of sexuality for this very reason.

Not to say that immaturity amongst adults is not endemic in any anonymous forum ... except El Reg of course (ha ha).